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The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission

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Is there still a place for mission in the late twentieth century? By what authority can we speak about God and the Christian message in our pluralist world? Newbigin brings his original and thoroughly biblical thoughts to these questions. He places missions in a Trinitarian context: Mission is the proclamation of the Kingdom of the Father, sharing in the life of Jesus, doing the work of the Spirit. He discusses the ideas of the school of Church Growth, of liberation theology and John Hicks (from "the myth of Christianity"), and develops his theology of mission in discussion with these voices. I have one reservation, and that is his discussion of election. Election, in Newbigin's view, is - and is being limited to - being called to witness. I cannot see how with this limitation he can avoid the danger of Pelagianism, which he rejects earlier on in the book. (This topic, however, is developed more extensively in "The Gospel in a Pluralist World"). Overall, though, an excellent read.

It's a shame that more thought leaders and pastors are not referencing this book. Lesslie Newbigin is one of my faith heroes, and this book only deepens that conviction. The Open Secret is a wonderful introduction to the language of mission and how justice, witness, and action dialogue with the missio Dei. With all the buzz around missional theology and mission in general, this should be the "go to" book if you are interested in learning a great center point by which you can begin to dialogue about others book related to Christian mission.

I'm always blown away by Newbigin's writing with how prophetic. This book was originally written a couple of decades ago, and it seems as though that even in 2009, there is a necessity to read this sort of book on mission beyond the "pop culture" of missional books in the Christian publishing world.

This book will challenge your thinking with regards to pluralism and God's justice in the world, and it seems as though at a time when those things are becoming somewhat overused and ambiguous, a fresh reminder with what God says is necessary.

The following is an analytical review.


Leslie Newbigin (1909-1998) was a theological missiologist/missionary and a missiological theologian. There are over six decades worth of his writings on mission theology and practice. Thus, he is considered to have had one of the greatest influences on the theology of mission in the twentieth century. Furthermore, Newbigin was a scholar practitioner since his works were always rooted in his living relationship with Jesus Christ; after all, he modeled what he wrote. He was also a Western missionary to India from 1936-1974, and upon returning to Great Britain, his missionary focus turned to the West (Shenk 1998).

The thesis of this book is that Christian mission is an open secret. It is open in the sense that the gospel is proclaimed to all without any boundaries, but it is a secret in that "it is manifest only to the eyes of faith" (Location 2556). As a result, mission cannot be relegated as a side task of the church, but it is the central calling and purpose of the church, yet the church does not own the mission, the mission is God's (Location 256). Newbigin's prophetic call to the church is for it to reemphasize its missionary character "to bring all things to their true end in the glory of the triune God" (Location 2556).

In the first section (Ch.1-3), Newbigin presents a historical background of missions and what the church's current situation is in the West. Although, this book was initially published in 1978, Newbigin's assessment of the state of the church is still profoundly accurate today in the twenty-first century. The missionary character of the church needs to be rediscovered, particularly in the West, in order for the church to live out its mission (Location 89). In the second part (Ch.4-6), Newbigin outlines the church's mission within a Trinitarian framework. Christian mission is all about proclaiming the Kingdom of the Father, sharing the life of the Son, and bearing the witness of the Spirit. This Trinitarian framework provides the proper foundation for the third part (Ch.7-10), where Newbigin examines contemporary issues in mission. In particular, he examines "some of the theoretical and practical problems that the church must meet in pursuing its missionary calling" (Location 902).

Newbigin's advice on dialoguing with non-Christians is such a powerful message that needs to be a regular part of every church's discipleship pathway. Not only does he reject an imperialistic mindset, but he also advises Christians to come to dialogue in humility and with an understanding that we will learn and be transformed as much as the non-Christian will because we are entering into the presence of the cross (Location 2472). Thus, the purpose of dialogue is not to "win" the other person to Christ, but it is to allow Christ to transform the hearer as much as the proclaimer, just like what happened to Peter when he "won" Cornelius to Christ (Location 2474). Behind this methodology is the understanding that Christians do not posses the truth, but rather that we, as Christians, bear witness to the truth (Location 2465). In order to dialogue with non-Christians, Newbigin advises Christians to "meet them and share with them in a common life, not as strangers but as those who live by the same life-giving Word, and in whom the same life-giving light shines" (Location 2381). When Christians do this, there will be mutual learning and teaching, in addition to both sides receiving and giving (Location 2381). When this kind of dialogue happens, the Christian must put his Christianity at risk as much as the non-Christian should put their religion at risk - otherwise true learning cannot take place. However, the Christian does this "within the ultimate commitment to Jesus Christ as finally determinative of his or her way of understanding and responding to all experience" (Location 2521). Consequently, I have never heard of such a radical way to dialogue with non-Christians, and the fact that Newbigin writes with significant field experience makes it all the more credible. As I interact and dialogue with others in my post-modern, post-Christian Canadian culture, I believe this is the way that evangelism needs to happen in order to see people enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ: Dialogical evangelism that takes place within an inclusive community.

Lesslie Newbigin takes the reader through theological exploration, individual evaluation, and his own vast cross-cultural experience to a perspective of how the truths of Scripture are intended for every tribe and tongue. We are not meant to horde the truths of salvation, but, instead share them with the world.

Newbigin artfully informs us that missions is truly Trinitarian: declaring the Kingdom of God the Father, glorifying the person of Jesus, and accomplishing the labor of the Holly Spirit. He develops his theology of missions within the truths of Scripture. He also critiques the church growth movement's view of missions, showing how it greatly limits the focus on the Bible, resulting in the limiting of God's glory.

He masterfully addresses the topic of election and missions. Why be a missionary if God has already chosen His elect? As we look at how the truth of Scripture fits in with the history of the world, it is mandatory to realize that the true meaning of the world is found only in the Bible. Because of this, we must proclaim this faith in a public way and not privatize our faith as if it is not part of God's world history.

Newbigin points out that, "God's reign concerns history in its unity and totality." It is imperative that we bow to His authority in our witness to the human race. Often we determine missionary and evangelistic tactics depending on our own thoughts and strengths, forgetting the most important thing about the missions experience. It is not our ability that counts, it is God's.

A must read for anyone desiring to openly engage this present world with the eternal good news of God's Son.
A faithful and compelling explanation of why the church has a responsibility to be God's witnesses in and to the world.

Newbigin writes an introduction to the theology of mission. His title implies that God's gospel is open to the world but secret to people of faith. His approach is certainly unique. He writes on several subjects, but his dominating theme is a "trinitarian christological" (yes, I know that sounds either redundant or oxymoronic, but its true) theology in the mission of God. There are several concerns about some of his arguments, especially when discusses issues pertaining to pluralism. I learned much about liberation theology in his chapter on justice. I am neutral on this book, probably giving it three out of five stars.

Selected quotes from this book:

"He is the Son, sent by the Father and anointed by the Spirit to be the bearer of God's kingdom to the nations" (24).

The proclamation of the kingdom of the Father, the presence of living Son, the prevenience of the Holy Spirit (paraphrase)

"The commitment is not to a cause or to a program: it is to a person. At the heart of mission there must always be the call to be committed to Jesus Christ in his community" (120).

"The calling of men and women to be converted, to follow Jesus, and to be part of his community is and must always be at the center of mission" (121).